Do I have a slow grower?

[tytus402]

I got my beardie, Sushi, around 8 weeks of age on 11/9/18 from a reputable private breeder. When I first got him he was 6.5" long and weighed 11g. Today, around 3 months of age, he's about 9.25" long and 35-37g. He actually weighed 38g a couple of days ago and then he didn't eat all of yesterday as I think he's going back into shed. When I first got him his legs and tail were in shed. Then his body about a week or so after...then his head...then his legs again last week and now it looks like his body is going into it again. He's got good energy and like to hang out outside of the tank when he can. He poops daily...every morning before 930am and once in a while maybe a second one in the evening. He's well hyrdrated. He gets bathed every day and water from a dropper twice a day which he likes.

Here's some other info:
Sex: Male
Morph: HypoTrans Leather Dunner Zero
Enclosure: 4x2x2 melamine - lives solo
Lighting: Arcadia T5 HO 14% w/ reflector and 150w basking bulb
Temp: Hot - 109-113; cool - 85-89
Distance from UVB: depends on where you measure from, but basking spot is 9" from UVB, branch between 13-15" depending on what part of the branch.
Other enclosure info: substrate is slate tile; 2 ledges at different heights made out of flagstone in the back of the tank that extend from the cool end to just under his basking hammock so he can adjust temps as needed. He goes under the ledges or hammock for shade. I have 2 lava rocks in there as well...one under the hammock and one in the front of the cage...both hot side...he loves to use to those for shedding.
Food: I start out with veggies first thing in the morning, but he refuses to eat them. Veggies consist of mustard and collard green and chard. For feeders he likes BSFL the best. I also have super worms and dubias for him too. Dubias/super worms/veggies get dusted with calcium or vitamins (calcium 5 times a week once daily...vitamins on weekends once daily).

I think I'm more concerned about weight than length. When he's eating well he'll eat up to 25 BSFL in one sitting. This morning he ate over 15 BSFL and one dubia that was about 3/4" long. I've heard pinworms can cause them not to gain weight. Can they be spotted with the naked eye? Poops look normal. Good energy when he's not starting to go into shed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CooperDragon]

It sounds like he's doing just fine. The frequent shedding shows that he is growing. I think his weight will start to catch up eventually. Since he's active and eating well I wouldn't worry about him. Pinworms can be seen with a microscope but are too small to see with just your eyes (my eyes can't see them at least). Since everything else seems OK I wouldn't worry about that much and maybe just bring a fresh fecal sample to the vet with you during his annual checkup/wellness visit.

 

[tytus402]

Thanks, CooperDragon. That makes me feel better...if I can only get him to eat some veggies now...

 

[CooperDragon]

That should get a bit easier as he gets older too. They prefer bugs because they need protein to support growth spurts when they're younger. When they reach full size they tend to be more likely to go after veges, especially if they have been a familiar food source for a while. Keep offering and see if you can find a favorite, but don't worry about it too much for now.